Injured when he was struck by a line drive last Thursday off the bat of Miami's Derek Dietrich, Gaudin played catch Monday. But though his condition improved, according to manager Bruce Bochy, the Giants already had summoned Kickham to Dodger Stadium in anticipation of this very move.

Kickham, 24, made his Major League debut May 28 at Oakland to replace the injured Ryan Vogelsong -- a role that Gaudin soon inherited. Kickham absorbed the decision in the Giants' 6-3 loss, lasting 2 1/3 innings and yielding four runs and four hits. He struck out three of the first six hitters he faced before Oakland's Derek Norris hit a two-run homer, hastening his unraveling. The next day, Kickham returned to Fresno.

Having dipped his toe into big league competition, Kickham's ready to jump in.

"I kind of know what to expect," said Kickham, who was 3-5 with a 4.81 ERA in 14 starts at Fresno. He also had 69 strikeouts and 33 walks in 78 2/3 innings. "Having been there before will benefit me."

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.